I just bought a rather tight fitting suit jacket. I have a few normal-fitting jackets that have adequate room for movement, but I wanted one with a tight-fitting look as well. It's for casual wear rather than work.

But then I suddenly wondered - will this jacket shrink when it's dry cleaned and become too tight? Some materials shrink when washed in water, but I have no idea about dry cleaning suits for the first time. It's 100% wool, and is a very light and thin fabric. As things stand, I wouldn't like to wrap my arms right around myself, especially with the button done up, for fear of damaging the stitching (which is fine for a casual jacket I never intend to do up). The next size up was still a good fit, just with a more conventional kind of suit jacket look with slightly overhanging shoulders. Perhaps I should have got that to allow for shrinkage?

I just bought a rather tight fitting suit jacket. I have a few normal-fitting jackets that have adequate room for movement, but I wanted one with a tight-fitting look as well. It's for casual wear rather than work.

But then I suddenly wondered - will this jacket shrink when it's dry cleaned and become too tight? Some materials shrink when washed in water, but I have no idea about dry cleaning suits for the first time. It's 100% wool, and is a very light and thin fabric. As things stand, I wouldn't like to wrap my arms right around myself, especially with the button done up, for fear of damaging the stitching (which is fine for a casual jacket I never intend to do up). The next size up was still a good fit, just with a more conventional kind of suit jacket look. Perhaps I should have got that to allow for shrinkage?

It depends on a lot of things, the construction of the jacket, the quality of the wool, and the weave and also how good the cleaners you are using are, which is most likely bad because 99% of them are. I wouldn't worry about it too much as you should only be dry cleaning a suit jacket about once per year. If it does shrink a bit with wear it will give back out.

Just received in the mail a brooks brothers slim fit oxford that I've really been looking forward to. It fits well around the body, but i'm worried about the sleeves. When standing with arms straight, the end hits about 2/3 down on the nub (bone) on the outside of the wrist, but i'm afraid it comes up a bit too much my arms bend. Like, as I type now, the bone-nub-thing is clearly visible and then probably half an inch more. Is this too short? Also, if it shrinks, it will be way too short. Will this shirt shrink at all when washed?

Just received in the mail a brooks brothers slim fit oxford that I've really been looking forward to. It fits well around the body, but i'm worried about the sleeves. When standing with arms straight, the end hits about 2/3 down on the nub (bone) on the outside of the wrist, but i'm afraid it comes up a bit too much my arms bend. Like, as I type now, the bone-nub-thing is clearly visible and then probably half an inch more. Is this too short? Also, if it shrinks, it will be way too short. Will this shirt shrink at all when washed?

You really have to include photos for a good answer. In the end it is preference and if you are wearing a jacket how much cuff you want to show.